Pediatric Emergency Medicine Simulation Curriculum: Anaphylaxis

Abstract Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal disorder which can mimic other illnesses initially and rapidly progress if not treated. Anaphylaxis is characterized by acute onset of skin or mucosal changes and respiratory compromise, reduced blood pressure, or end organ dysfunction. Medical providers must recognize children in anaphylaxis early and initiate systemic treatment rapidly to prevent further decompensation and cardiopulmonary failure. The goal of this scenario is to provide the learner with an opportunity to manage life-threatening pediatric anaphylaxis, where the correct steps need to be taken in a limited period of time. Included are extensive preparatory materials to help the instructor prepare the environment and learners. The debriefing tools have been tailored specifically for this scenario, with advice on how the instructor can edit them for different learners. This resource will help support standardization of the teaching process, allowing simulation instructors to maximize their impact. Supplemental learner handouts can help reinforce the teaching points. The inclusion of a learner feedback form supports the instructor's ongoing growth while helping faculty document their teaching efforts. This scenario, by itself, can be inserted into other ongoing educational programs. It provides a standard collection of instructor resources. This has been particularly helpful, since we have had to rely on a variety of instructors to implement our curriculum. Over the past 4 years, we found that by using this as an individual resource, instructors who teach intermittently can successfully foster simulation-based education. While these resources do not replace experience and grounding in simulation education theory, they can help instructors at all levels provide more consistent learning experiences for students.